i don't know if this includes all of us reporters in the media, because there's a ton of us as well. and you can see the floats are in place here, 40 floats lining the streets here, and they'll be a part of this parade. there will be one special float this year, one honoring those first responders to superstorm sandy. as you know, it affected this area so dramatically. that's the latest from here in new york. now back to you, veronica. >> all right, jay gray. have fun out there. thanks so much. >>> and now for a look at your holiday weather, here's nbc meteorologist bill karins. you know, it just looked gorgeous out there, but what about the rest of the country? >> not bad. >> good! >> i mean, a lot better in a lot of spots. yesterday was a rough day in the northwest, rain and windy conditions, and we had the horrible fog around chicago and st. louis, where dozens upon dozens of flights were canceled and seriously delayed. now we're getting a break in the northwest. it kind of stopped raining as we went throughout the day yesterday, in most cases. we get a very short-lived break, the